McLaren's Ferrari 458-fighting MP4-12C will soon transform into a convertible (see spy photos), and reports out of the US this week suggest it could be upon us sooner rather than later.

According to Car&Driver, a visit to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking reportedly revealed that the topless MP4-12C will not only debut this year, but it will carry the Spider badge.

The move will be sure to rankle with the people at Maranello, whose lidless 458 carries the Spider name.

The roadster's debut is expected at either the Paris Motor Show in September, or November's LA Auto Show. Los Angeles is the natural home for a car such as the Spider, but we wouldn't be laying bets at this stage on a venue.

According to this, and most other reports, the hardtop's 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 will carry over unchanged.